Urbanisation and development brings changes to rivers and catchments. Natural forests are logged and cleared for agriculture, rural areas become suburban area and suburban areas become high density urban areas due to growth of cities and towns. These changes can influence water management, water quality, environmental and ultimately economic and social issues. Such developments and population growth are often unavoidable, and need to be managed within the context of water resource management. Such management measures ensure a proactive approach, rather than a reactionary (and often "too little too late") approach.

DHI are leaders in this field, and are actively involved in shaping the approach to integrated water resource management around the world. Our close associations with UN and other international directives and groups (such as the Global Water Partnership), our active participation in projects on varying scales around the world and our close relationship with academia place us in a unique position to provide specialist advice.